There is another new scam that is taking place in Tennessee. This time, con-artist have stooped so low that they are using the sad, yet very real topic of human trafficking to make money off of citizens in the Volunteer State. 

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is warning the public about this reported phone scheme involving a man presenting himself as a representative of a human trafficking task force.

The scheme reportedly uses the phone number of the Tennessee Human Trafficking Hotline, as well as a number associated with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. The caller, who reportedly identifies himself as “Ryan McClain,” states he represents the “Nashville Human Trafficking Task Force.” The man then informs the individual that their phone number was found on the cellphone of a human trafficking victim. Then, he tells them that if they want to have their name “cleared,” they need to pay a large sum of money.

The TBI is trying to track down the subject who is making the calls. To help in this investigation, agents ask that anyone who receives a similar phone call should ignore the caller’s message and report it directly to the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or report it online at www.ic3.gov.